The fantastic weather continues.

Days like these make you happy to be alive, with the trees and fields looking at their peak under cloudless skies.  Thursday night saw a visit to the east end of Sessay Wood, and had similar numbers to two days previous.  The highlight was a small tortrix which I am sure is Pammene obscurana, specimen retained and which I sent to HEB to gen.det. it (too small for me to have a go!).  Harry confirms it as a female obscurana, and there have been about four previous records in Yorkshire, including another of mine nearby at Pilmoor.  Also of note was an Epinotia demarniana (I have had these regularly in this area), and four Orange Footman.

Pammene obscurana (gen. det.)

This photo taken through plastic cover so moth could not escape before confirmation, hence not as sharp as one would like.

Last night was spent at Staveley NR, the first time I have trapped there at this time of the year.  It started off a beautiful calm evening, but after midnight the temperature dropped, and a cool easterly wind picked up making it feel rather chilly.  On checking the traps after just over 3 hours they were bereft of any numbers so decided to call it a day.  Little of note trapped, although Eyed Hawk-moth always good to see, and ten Rustic Shoulder-knot were my first for the site, as was a late Powdered Quaker.